Frichtl v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 19

ORDER Granting 18 Joint Motion to Remand filed by Commissioner of Social Security: As explained in the attached Order, the Court GRANTS the parties'Joint Stipulation to Remand (Doc. 18). The final decision of the Commissioner of Social Securit y denying Elizabeth Frichtl's application for social security benefits is REVERSED and REMANDED to the Commissioner for rehearing and reconsideration of the evidence, pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. §405(g).Judgment shall enter accordingly. Signed by Judge Michael J. Reagan on 10/28/12. (soh )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
ELIZABETH A. FRICHTL,
Plaintiff,
vs.
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,
Defendant.

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Case No. 12-cv-0641-MJR-CJP

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
REAGAN, District Judge:
This matter is now before the Court on the parties’ October 25, 2012 Stipulation
to Remand (Doc. 18).
There are only two avenues for remanding a social security case. Remand can be
ordered pursuant to sentence four or sentence six of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). A sentence four
remand depends upon a finding of error and is itself a final, appealable order. In
contrast, a sentence six remand is for the purpose of receipt of new evidence and does
not determine whether the Commissioner’s decision as rendered was correct.

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sentence six remand is not an appealable order. See Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 89
(1991); Perlman v. Swiss Bank Corporation Comprehensive Disability Protection Plan,
195 F.3d 975, 978 (7th Cir. 1999).
Here, the parties stipulate that this case should be remanded pursuant to
sentence four. In accordance with Schaefer v. Shalala, 509 U.S. 292, 302-303 (1993),
judgment will be entered in favor of Plaintiff.
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The Court notes that Ms. Frichtl filed her application for benefits in April, 2009,
and the ALJ issued his decision in November 2010 (Tr. 33-39). Administrative remedies
were not completed until March 2012, when the Appeals Council denied review (Tr. 1).
While recognizing that the agency has a full docket, the Court urges the Commissioner
to expedite this matter to the extent practicable.
For good cause shown, the parties’ Stipulation to Remand (Doc. 18) is
GRANTED. The final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying
Elizabeth Frichtl’s application for social security benefits is REVERSED and
REMANDED to the Commissioner for rehearing and reconsideration of the evidence,
pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. §405(g).
The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in favor of plaintiff.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED October 28, 2012.

s/ Michael J. Reagan
MICHAEL J. REAGAN
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE

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